Decoy



Jab. 1, 1929. 1,697,465

W. H. KEMPF DECOY Filed April 24, 1928 Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

LIN-ETD s WHEELER H. KEMPF, OF MANNING, IOWA.

DECOY.

Application filed April 24, 1928. Serial No. 272,541.

This invention relates to decoys and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind used by sportsmen to entice ducks and kindred fowl within the range of the hunter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind of a collapsible type thereby facilitating its transportation together with means whereby the same may be conveniently and effectively maintained in extended form.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved decoy whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with a portion broken away of a decoy constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the base and frame members as herein employed;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View partly in cross section and partly in elevation illustrating the mounting of the bail associated with the base member.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a base of requisite configuration and preferably of a pronounced thickness, said base being of cork. This base 1 has disposed over its upper surface and effectively secured thereto a plate 2, preferably of wood, said base 1 and plate 2 being adhesively or otherwise permanently connected. The plate 2 at its opposite marginal portions at points in advance of the longitudinal center of the plate 2 is provided with the upstanding bearing members 3 with which are freely engaged the inwardly disposed lugs or fingers 4 arranged at the extremities of an elongated loop frame 5 formed of wire of requisite gauge.

The body 6 of the decoy, which is herein disclosed as in simulation of a duck, is made of any desired fabric and the frame 5 hereinbefore referred to extends within the tail portion 6 of the body 6. The marginal portions of the body 6 lap the edge face of the base 1 and the plate 2 and are secured thereto, as at 7, by tacks or otherwise as may be preferred. The body 6' is also cut to provide a neck 6, the outer end portion of which being formed to house or encompass, a head block 8.

The head block 8 is provided with an inner or bottom fiat face 8 and the rearend portion of said flat face has formed therein a pocket 9 in which is slidably received an end portion of a supporting rod 10. The end portion of the rod 10 within the pocket 9 has disposed thcrethrough a slot 11, the longitudinal axis of which being directed lengthwise of the rod and extending through the slot 11 is a'pin 12 which is also directed through the portions of the head block 8 at opposite sides of the pocket 9. v

The slot 11 permits the rod 10 to have limited endwise movement with respect to the head block 8 and said rod 10 is constantly urged outwardly by an expansible spring let arranged within the pocket 9 and interposed between the inserted end of the rod 10 and the inner end of the pocket. By means of the sliding movement of the rod the head block 8 together with the body 6 are effective 1y maintained extended when the rod 10 is swung into substantially a vertical position with the outer or free end thereof in contact with the plate 2.

When it is desired to collapse the decoy, the rod 10 may be readily swung to one side out of working position whereupon said rod and head block may be caused to lie closely adjacent to the plate 2 and at the same time the frame 5 may be swung downwardly toward "the plate 2.

The base member 1 has pivotally connected to the opposite sides thereof, as at 15, the extremities of a bail 16 which, when the decoy is in use, depends from the base. The intermediate portion of this bail 16 carries a weighted member 17 to facilitate a more ef fective riding of the decoy upon the surface of the water. The forward portion of the base 1 at its transverse center has secured thereto a ring member 18 providing a suitable anchoring medium.

It has been found in practice that the weighted member 17 serves to maintain the decoy in an upright position irrespective of the force of the wind or the roughness of the water.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a decoy constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason'o'fthe convenience. and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit there of and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement a and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out 'my invention in practice except ashereinafterclaimed.

I claim r v 1. A decoy comprising a base, a collapsible body attached thereto, a block arranged within the collapsible body, said block haw ing a vpocket, a-rod freely insertible within said pocket, an expansible member within the pocket coacting with the inserted end of the rod, the outer end of the rod having contact with the base to maintain the body expanded.

2. A decoy comprisinga base,'a collapsible body attached thereto, a block anranged within the collapsible body, said block having a pocket, a rod freely insertible within said pocket, an expansible member withinv the pocket coacting with the inserted end otthe rod, the outer end of the rod having contact with the base to maintain the body expanded, the portion of the rod within the pocket being slotted in a direction lengthwise of the rod, and a member carried by the block and extending through the slot, I r

i 3. A decoy comprising a base, a collapsible body attached thereto. a block arranged within the collapsible body, said blockfh'avingj a pocket, a rod freely insertible within said pocket, an expansible member witl 1in the pocket coacting'with the inserted end oi. the

rod, the outer end of the rod having contact with the base to maintain, the body expanded, said body having a tail portion, and a frame pivotally engaged with the base and extendin'g within the tail portion.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WHEELER H. KEMPF. 

